Sound recording and reproducing system



1366- 1931- s. s A. WATKINS SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING SYSTEM Filed May 14, 1927 lfrfard Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES STANLEY S. A. WATKINS, OF RYE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY ASSIGNMENTS, TO

PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL RESEARCH PRODUCTS INC, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING SYSTEM Application filed May 14, 1927. a Serial' No 191,419.

This invention relates to improvements in the art of recording and reproducing motion pictures and accompanying sounds in synchronism.

- The invention has for its principal object the provision of methods and means for accurately adjusting the synchronization of associated visual and audible programs during the actual operation of the corresponding recording or reproducing devices.

A feature of the invention pertains to a movable phonograph recorder or reproducerarm which is capable of being moved in a plurality of directions in a plane parallel to that of the record blank or disc.

Another feature of the invention is concerned with a novel form of mounting for a reproducer or tone arm for phonograph apparatus.

A still further feature relates to a scale for use with a phonograph recorder or reproducer, together with an associated movable stylus-carrying arm said scale being marked in appropriate divisions for accurately locating the stylus at any desired point on the rec- 0rd blank or disc.

An additional feature of the invention has o do with a synchronized picture and sound system wherein the phonograph reproducer is invariably driven at a fixed rate of speed with relation to an associated picture projector and with the means for varying the relation between the visual and audible reproductions Without disturbing the driving rates of the phonograph and projector.

Other features and advantages of the invention not specifically enumerated, will become apparentafter a consideration of the descriptions hereinbelow and after a perusal of the appended claims.

The inventive concept in its broad aspect is not confined to the particular system or apshown and described in connection with "a synchron zed sound and motion plcture reproducing system using mechanical media phonograph apparatus, of knownconstruction, and standard motion picture projection apparatus.

In theaccompan'ying drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a side view of a phonograp 1 reproducer embodying the invention, as well as a schematically represented picture projector to be operated in synchronism with the phonograph.

Fig. 2 represents a plan view-of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 together with a lamp indicator, it being understood that the repre sentation of the phonograph apparatus in this figure is essentiall diagrammatic.

In the preferred em odiment of the invention as illustrated in thevdrawin s, 1 designates the supporting base or floor or the phonograph and projector equipment and2designates bearing piecessecurely fastened in the floor 1,.and spaced at the proper intervals to correspond with the legs 3 of the telescoping tripod 4. Each of the tripod legs carries an adjusting screw 5 by means of which the phonograph apparatus may be properly leveled. The main supporting column 6 is in the form of a cylinder and telescopes within the annular portion of the supporting tripod. The height ofthe column 6 may be adjusted and fixed by means of the screws 7. The

upper end of the column 6 is hollow and carries suitable bearings 8 in which turntable shaft 10 is suitably journaled. Shaft 10 carries at its lower end asuitable ear 11. Preferably between the upper an lower sections of the shaft 10 there is provided a mechanical filter schematically represented by the rectangle 12 for the purpose of preventing the transmission of gear noises to the turntable tal and vertical planes without disturbing the be designed to prevent the transmission or vibrations from the motor to the turntable. Motor 16 is mounted upon a supporting table having legs 18 which telescope with corresponding hollow cylindrical supports 19 fastened to the floor. The height of the motor table may be adjusted and fixed Joy means of the screws 20. Motor 16 also drives the shaft 21 carrying the gear 22 which cooperates with gear 23 for driving shaft 26. Shaft 26 is preferably coupled to the gears 23 and 27 by means of universal joints schematically represented by the rectangles 2d and 25. The main driving shaft 29 for the picture projector 30 carries the gear 28 which co-operates with the gear 27.

38 represents a wax disc on which is incorporating a record of the sound program to be reproduced, this record being preferably in the form of continuous spirally arranged wave-like cuttings in the body of the disc, the variations in the sounds being preferably represented by corresponding varying amplitudes of the wave-like cuttings. For the purpose of translating these varying cuttings into corresponding electric currents any well known form of electromechanical reproducer 45 may be employed. This reproducer is adapted to be actuated by the stylus 37 which follows the record groove in the disc, and is mounted in any suitable manner on the armv 36 which is pivoted for movement in a vertical plane in the bifurcated extensions 71 and 72 of the pin 73. Pin 73 is provided with a bearing shoulder 46 which serves as a support for the left hand end of the arm 36. Pin 7 3 fits snugly in a recess in the arm 35thus allowing arm 36 to be moved in both horizonposition of arm 35 which itself is capable of rotation about the main column 6. For this latter purpose the right hand end of arm 35 terminates in an annular portion 7 4: which embraces the column, the height of arm 35 being capable of adjustment by means of the rings 31, 32 and the screws 33. Because of the size of arm 35 as compared with arm 36,

the latter is free to move in a horizontal plane, as a result of the stylus following the sound groove, without moving the arm 35. It will be noted, however, that movement of the arm 35 manually by an attendant causes the reproducer arm 36 to be moved bodily with respect to the record disc. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the reproducer arm 36. (as shown in dotted lines) is. illustrated as having been rotated manually through an angle A. It will also be noted that this bodily movement of the arms 35 and 36 may be efl'ected while the disc 38 is rotating, thus in efiect causing a shortening or lengthening of the record depending upon whether the arnn 35 is rotated clockwise or. counterclockwise.

For the purpose of accurately gauging the degree to which the arm 35 is to be moved,

a graduated scale plate 47 is provided, this "plate being afixed to the main supporting .column 6 in the manner shown in Fig. 1 and reproduction with respect to the visual reproduction simply by turning the arm 35 in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

In some cases it may be desirable for the operator to note at any instance the relative position of the reproducer with respect to the record disc without his being able to closely inspect the scale 47. For this purpose the scale which is preferably of non-conducting material is provided with contact studs 48 at each of the main divisions of the scale. As shown in Fig. 1 these contact studs protrude from the upper surface of the scale plate and are adapted to be contacted with the brush 49 which may also serve as a pointer for locating the position of the reproducer. This brush as shown is connected by means of the conductor 51 to one pole or the battery 52, the other pole being connected to the common terminals of the lamps 56, 57 etc. The remaining terminals of the lamps are connected to corresponding contact studs on the plate 47 as shown in Fig. 2. The series of lamps 56, 57 are all preferably of a diil'erent color from lamps 5'9, 60, etc.', so that the attendant may note at aglance how many frames the sound reproduction is in advance of, or behind, the picture projection.

When it is desired to. produce a synchronized sound and picture program the wax disc containing the sound record is placed upon the turntable '9 with the reproducer stylus 37 opposite to an appropriate starting mark on the disc. At the same time the corresponding picture film to be projected is inserted in the machine 30 with the starting frame in alignment with the optical system ofthe projector. In some cases'it may be known beforehand that the picture film is slightly longer than the corresponding sound record. For example, from previous runs it may be observed that the picture finishes about five frames before the sound record is concluded, this discrepancy not being particularly noticeable to the ordinary auditor. To compensate for this dill'erence the operator prior to starting the motor 16 turns the arm 35 in a clockwise direction fromythe zero position to a position where the brush 49 contacts with the stud 58. This movement of the arm 35 and consequently the reproducer arm 36 is in efieot a lengthening of the sound record. In other cases the at tendant may observe during the operation of the phonograph and projector that at some particular point the picture appears to be behind the sound reproduction in which case the arm 35 may berotated in a-counterclockwise direction to the point where the attendant notes that the sound and visual reproductions are in exact base. rate phase relations may e secured between the projected picture and the accompanying sound without interrupting the operation of either the phonograph or the projector.

iVhile in the foregoing description the invention has been described in connection with a particular type of, sound and picture projecting system, it is to be understood that the invention is of use in other types of systems. For example instead of employing a single motor for driving both the sound and picture reproducers, separate motors may be employed utilizing electrical or other well known synchronizing arrangements. Similarly while a particular form of phonograph is disclosed it will be apparent that the invention is applicable to other forms of sound reproducing instruments, for example, those employing photographic records, it being understood that the invention in its broad aspects pertains to the idea of varying the effective synchronism without disturbing the operation of picture machines.

What I claim is:

1. In a synchronized sound and picture system, a phonographic sound record disc, means for moving said disc, a motion picture machine having driving means adapted to be operated in constant synchronism with the disc moving means, means controlled by said either the phonograph or disc for reproducing a sound program, rotative means for changing the effective length of the reproduced sound program without disturbing the synchronism between said driving means and the disc moving means,

and lamp signals controlled by said rotative means for indicating to an ,attendant the amount to which the efl'ective length of the sound program is varied.

2. In a synchronized sound and picture reproducing system, a phonographic sound record disc, a motion picture machine, means for rota ting said disc and, operating said machine infcontinuous synchronism, means operated by said disc for reproducing a sound program, rotative means for varying the effective length of the reproduced program without disturbing the synchronism between the rotating disc and the operation of said machine, a series of lamps for indicating the amount to which the reproduced sound program is shortened, and another series of lamps for indicating the amount to which the reproduced Thus accuchine, a moving picture film adapted to be fed through said machine, motor means for driving said turn-table and said picture machine, and means for /moving said stylus longitudinally in said cutting to vary the effective length of the reproduced sound program.

4. 'In combination a phonograph turn-ta ble, a wax disc mounted thereon and containing a continuous cutting constituting 9. record of a sound program, means comprising a stylus controlled by said cutting for reproducing said program, a motion picture mach1ne, a moving picture film adapted to be fed through said machine, motor means for driving said turn-table and said picture machine, and means for temporarily varying the tempo of the sound program as recorded on said disc while maintaining'constant' speed of both the turntable and the picture machine.

5. In combination a phonograph turn-table, a stylus bearing arm cooperating therewith, a mounting for said arm capable of horizontal circular movement independently of the movement of said arm, a motion picture machine, a moving picture film adapted to be fed through said machine, motor means for driving said turn-table and said picture machine, and means including said movable mounting for varying the effective synchronism between the sound program and the picture program without varying the speed of either the turn-table or picture machine.

6. In combination, a motion picture machine, a moving picture film adapted to be fed through said machine, a phonograph turntable, motor means for driving said turntable and said picture machine, a stylus and an arm therefor cooperating with said turntable, a pivotal joint for said arm to render it'capable of movement in both horizontal and vertical planes, 2. support for said arm, said support being rotata le about theaxis of said turntable to vary the relative position of said stylus with respect to said turntable.

.7. In combination, a phonograph turntable, a phonograph sound record disc, a stylus bearing arm cooperating therewith, a

pivotal joint for said arm to render it ca- 4D mam-ea independent of the vertical and horizontal movements of said arm for varying the elder:- tive synchronism between thesound program and the picture program While maintaining fi constant the speed of both the turntable a the picture machine.

8. In combination, a phonograph turntable, a stylus hearing arm. cooperating therewith, a rotatable mounting for said arm, a motion 10 picture machine, a moving picture fiinc adapted to be fed through said machine, motor means for driving said turntable and said picture machine at a predetermined speed and means cooperating With said mountingfor indicat 15 ing the distance in picture frames through Which the stylus arm is rotated.

In testimony whereof, STANLEY Sm WAT- KINS has signed his name to this specification thislOth day of May, 1927.

STANLEY A. WATKINS. 

